A comparative study of laparoscopic and robotic assisted radical prostatectomy performed by a single surgeon

Objective To present the transition from laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) to robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) over 10 years in a medium volume center by a single surgeon. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed 140 prostate cancer patients who underwent LRP (100 patients) or RALP (40 patients) between May 2005 and May 2015. Preoperative parameters included age, body mass index, and serum prostate specific antigen. Operative course parameters included operative time, estimated blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion, conversion to open surgery, hospitalization days, duration of Foley catheterization, and complications. Pathological stage, surgical margin status, biochemical recurrence (BCR) rate, and continence rate at 12 months after surgery were reviewed and compared between the LRP and RALP groups. Result The operative outcomes revealed significantly less blood loss (143 mL vs. 306 mL, p < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (6.9 days vs. 8.7 days, p = 0.006), and shorter duration of Foley catheterization (9.3 days vs. 11.3 days, p < 0.001) in patients who underwent RALP. Major perioperative complications occurred in four LRP patients (4%), and none were observed in RALP patients. LRP and RALP had similar positive surgical margin rates (p = 0.285) and BCR rates (p = 0.88). RALP resulted in better continence recovery than LRP (55% vs. 82.5%, p = 0.003). Conclusion Patients who underwent RALP had better perioperative and functional outcomes. Oncologic outcomes were similar compared to patients who underwent LRP.